Biden 'outraged' by Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers in Gaza
USAU.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement he was "outraged and heartbroken" by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza that killed seven people working for World Central Kitchen (WCK). He also said Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers.
According to Biden, this is “not a stand-alone incident,” and is a major reason why distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza has been so difficult.
“Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians. Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen. Israel has also not done enough to protect civilians,” Biden said.
The U.S. president said that Israel's investigation of the incident "must be swift, it must bring accountability, and its findings must be made public."
Biden said he will continue to press Israel to do more to get aid into Gaza. He said a U.S. team in Cairo is working to secure a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal.
The strike on the WCK convoy on April 1 killed citizens of Australia, Britain and Poland as well as Palestinians and a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier that the strike was tragic and unintended, and the Israeli military pledged an independent inquiry.